Many people say they wish they read more, but finding the time can feel almost impossible. Between work, family responsibilities, household chores, and endless notifications, sitting down with a good book often slips to the bottom of the priority list.
The good news is that reading doesn’t require huge blocks of free time. A few small changes to your daily routine can make it much easier to enjoy more books throughout the year. Whether you’re planning to revisit an old favourite or buy Run Away by Harlan Coben from Booktopia for your next page-turner, creating a regular reading habit is simpler than you might think.
Here are eight practical ways to make more time for reading.
1. Carry a Book Wherever You Go
Unexpected waiting time appears more often than most people realise.
Whether you’re waiting for an appointment, travelling on public transport, or arriving early for a meeting, those spare minutes can quickly add up.
Keeping a book or e-reader with you means you always have something worthwhile to read instead of automatically reaching for social media.
Even 10 or 15 minutes at a time can make a noticeable difference over the course of a week.
2. Replace Some Screen Time
Many of us spend more time looking at our phones than we realise.
Consider replacing just 20 minutes of scrolling each evening with reading instead.
You don’t have to eliminate screens completely. Simply swapping a small portion of your usual screen time can help you finish several extra books each year.
3. Create a Daily Reading Routine
Habits become easier when they’re attached to an existing routine.
Try reading:
- With your morning coffee
- During your lunch break
- Before going to bed
- After dinner
- While commuting
Reading at the same time each day helps it become a natural part of your schedule.
4. Keep Books Visible
It’s surprisingly easy to forget about reading when books are tucked away on a shelf.
Instead, leave your current book somewhere you’ll notice it regularly.
Good places include:
- Your bedside table
- The coffee table
- Your work bag
- Beside your favourite chair
Visual reminders make it much more likely that you’ll pick up your book during spare moments.
5. Choose Books You Genuinely Enjoy
Many people stop reading because they feel obligated to finish books they aren’t enjoying.
Remember that reading should be enjoyable.
If a book isn’t capturing your interest after a fair chance, it’s perfectly reasonable to move on to something else.
Finding authors and genres you genuinely love makes reading feel like a reward rather than another task.
6. Set Small Reading Goals
You don’t need to read an entire chapter every time you sit down.
Instead, aim for manageable goals such as:
- Reading for 15 minutes
- Finishing 10 pages
- Reading one chapter
- Spending a few quiet minutes with your book
Small goals are easier to achieve consistently, and consistency builds long-term habits.
7. Join a Reading Community
Sharing recommendations with other readers can be surprisingly motivating.
You might:
- Join a book club
- Participate in online reading groups
- Swap recommendations with friends
- Set reading challenges together
Having people to discuss books with often encourages you to keep reading and discover authors you might never have found otherwise.
8. Don’t Wait for the “Perfect” Time
Many people believe they’ll start reading more once life becomes less busy.
Unfortunately, that perfect moment rarely arrives.
Instead of waiting for large amounts of free time, use the small opportunities already available throughout your day.
Five or ten minutes here and there may not seem significant, but together they create plenty of reading time over the course of a month.
Reading Offers More Than Entertainment
Making time for books isn’t only about finishing more titles.
Regular reading can also help you:
- Relax after a busy day
- Improve concentration
- Learn new ideas
- Reduce stress
- Expand your vocabulary
- Exercise your imagination
Those benefits make reading one of the most rewarding ways to spend your free time.
A Few Pages at a Time Adds Up
You don’t need hours of uninterrupted quiet to become a regular reader. Most people already have enough spare moments scattered throughout the day—they simply need to recognise them.
By carrying a book, reducing unnecessary screen time, building a simple routine, and choosing stories you genuinely enjoy, you’ll gradually read more without feeling like you’re adding another obligation to your schedule.
Before long, those few pages each day can become several books each year, and you’ll likely wonder why you didn’t make reading a bigger priority sooner.